Comfort Cart brings surprise volunteers to families at Peter Lougheed Centre

Professional hockey players stickhandle comfort items to families on pediatric unit

CALGARY — The hallways at the Peter Lougheed Centre pediatric unit turned into a sports highlight reel today as professional hockey players stepped in and stickhandled the Ronald McDonald House® (RMH) Alberta Comfort Cart, catching families off guard in the best way possible.

Known for delivering comfort and care through snacks and small gifts, the Comfort Cart is usually operated by Ronald McDonald House volunteers, but today’s lineup featured some unexpected all-stars, Mikael Backlund, MacKenzie Weegar, Devin Cooley and Johnny Beecher.

“The Comfort Cart is more than just snacks and gifts, it’s a symbol of care and connection for families during some of their most challenging moments. Seeing the Calgary Flames players join us today brought so much joy and excitement to the hospital. It’s a wonderful reminder of the power of community and the difference we can make together,” says Natasha Tiemstra, COO of RMH Alberta.

The Calgary Flames and Wranglers have been longtime supporters of RMH Alberta, often appearing at the Ronald McDonald House to spend time with families. The engagement of players and families always helps to create a fun environment and special memories for families who have a child needing pediatric care.

This type of community interaction is also helpful in providing families with a sense of “home”. Many Ronald McDonald House families travel from outside Calgary to seek pediatric care, leaving them in a challenging position to find accommodation that can keep their family together. The Comfort Cart helps to provide compassionate interactions between the volunteers and all of the families at the hospital, whether Calgary is their home or not.

Nicholas Thain, Senior Operating Officer at the Peter Lougheed Centre says, "Our patients and families look forward to the Comfort Cart visits, and today’s surprise made it even more memorable. These moments of joy and connection are so important for emotional well-being, especially during the holiday season. We are grateful to RMHC Alberta and the Calgary Flames for helping us create such a positive experience for everyone on the unit."

Comfort Carts are also available at the Foothills Medical Centre, Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, and the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

The Comfort Cart is made possible by support from Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Alberta donors and volunteers, who circulate the carts.

About Ronald McDonald House Alberta

Ronald McDonald House Alberta helps keep families together when they need it most. Our Houses in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Medicine Hat provide a home-away-from-home to over 1,200 families each year who must travel for their child’s vital medical treatment. By enabling families to stay together, near a hospital, Ronald McDonald House vastly improves the quality and experience of the care of the child and the wellbeing of the family, while reducing the family’s stress, sense of isolation, and financial burden.

About AHS

Alberta Health Services provides a range of healthcare services for more than five million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide excellent, patient-focused healthcare that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.

About the Calgary Flames Foundation

The Calgary Flames Foundation strives to improve the lives of southern Albertans by supporting health and wellness, education, and grassroots sports. Since its inception, the Calgary Flames Foundation has been working to help kids play and prosper and has donated over $70 million to southern Alberta charities.